Product, Service & Design Innovation
The latest products, services, design approaches and business models that are helping organizations of all sizes deliver on their sustainability ambitions and establish a new business as usual.
McDonald’s, Loop Partner on Industry-First Cup Return Scheme
Cross-Posted from Chemistry, Materials & Packaging. Beginning in 2021, McDonald's customers in select UK restaurants will be able to choose a reusable hot beverage cup, which can be returned to be sanitized and reused.
Breaking the Cycle of Poverty Through Sustainability, Equity and Resilient Design
Cross-Posted from The Next Economy. Here, Purpose Built Communities president Carol Naughton discusses how sustainability and designing for resiliency can help to end intergenerational poverty, strengthen economically diverse communities and aid in neighborhood revitalization.
Report: Unlocking Manufacturer Innovation Key to Achieving Circular Fashion
Cross-Posted from Supply Chain. With the COVID-19 and climate crises threatening industry’s dominant business model — which is based on continued growth in production — circular models will need to be at the heart of fashion’s growth plans going forward.
All Timberland Products to Be 100% Circular, Net Positive by 2030
The brand is aiming to design 100% of its products for circularity, and source 100% of materials from regenerative agriculture.
Planned Obsolescence and Your Right to Repair
Cross-Posted from The Next Economy. Have you ever wondered why some consumer goods don't last? From cell phones to household appliances and clothing to automobile tires, some products we use every day could last much longer. But they don't.
Biomimicry Providing a Concrete Solution to a Global Problem
With impending, growing climate change impacts — in conjunction with the expected growth of our cities, ports and other coastal infrastructure — investing in “Blue Tech” is of prime importance.
Algramo Brings Refillable, Waste-Free Cleaning Products to NYC
Cross-Posted from The Next Economy. In partnership with major brands and small business owners, Algramo gives consumers a better way to refill household-name cleaning products through a cost effective, smart dispensing system.
New Innovations Simplify Ocean Plastic Supply Chain
Cross-Posted from Supply Chain. Incorporating recycled ocean plastics into products is no longer a risky affair, and more brands are following in the footsteps of earlier pioneers to revolutionize their own product lines and story with these salvaged materials.
Interior Design Firm’s Product Exchange Minimizes Construction & Demolition Waste
Cross-Posted from Waste Not. Schott Design’s product exchange program, SchottXchange, goes beyond its carpet reclamation and recycling efforts on its projects to facilitate the reuse of items within or between buildings, diverting materials from the landfill.
Going Green (and Blue): Three Lessons Learned from a Circular Partnership
Cross-Posted from Chemistry, Materials & Packaging. As CHEP and Ice River Springs have worked together in pursuit of a stronger circular economy, we’ve learned a number of lessons. We want to share a few with you, in hopes that they’ll spark inspiration for your own operations.
Nimble Nonprofit Pivots to Fulfill Its Purpose During the Pandemic
The Desai Foundation’s advice to purpose-driven organizations dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic is to look beyond the immediate practicalities and be open to new ways to deliver on end goals.
Slowly But Surely, Fairphone Paving the Way to a More Ethical Electronics Industry
Cross-Posted from Supply Chain. Latest Fairphone Impact Report reveals benefits of social and environmental programs; while LCA of the Fairphone 3 shows that using a smartphone for over 5 years can reduce CO2 emissions by about 40%.
How a Classic Brand Is Tackling the Marine Plastic Problem
Cross-Posted from Chemistry, Materials & Packaging. Zipper giant YKK Group has used recycled PET yarns in the woven tape of its Natulon® zippers since 1994. But when it wanted to help address the challenge of ocean plastic, the company saw it as an opportunity to get creative.
Global Maker Challenge Finalists Tackling Food, Trade, Justice, Circularity
This year’s global challenges centered around four themes: Sustainable and Healthy Food for All, Climate Change/Circular Economy, Innovation for Inclusive Trade, and Innovation for Peace and Justice.
Young Innovators Compete on Ideas to Build Back Better in Latin America
UNEP’s Innovation for Sustainable Lifestyles Competition sees college-level entrepreneurs developing solutions in the areas of transportation, building and food to help the region rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic.
P&G Embraces Natural Climate Solutions to Achieve Global Climate Neutrality
Cross-Posted from Finance & Investment. The goal is to reduce its GHGs by 50%, use 100% renewable electricity at all manufacturing sites by 2030, and advance natural climate solutions to achieve carbon neutrality for the decade.
Public Benefit Brewer Aims to Put People Back to Work During Corona
While starting any new business is challenging; Works Progress Administration believes it’s always a good time to help people and benefit your community through social impact — especially during this time of chaos and crisis.
HP Sets Ambitious Plastic Goals, Doubles Down on Diversity Commitments
Cross-Posted from The Next Economy. Along with the release of its 2019 Sustainable Impact Report, the tech giant has set bold goals around reduction of single-use plastics and increasing recycled materials; and committed to doubling its number of Black executives by 2025.
A Brief History of Food Declarations; and the Path to Better Ones
Cross-Posted from Marketing and Comms. Food is not about boxed brands on a shelf, but about people and the environment — hence, our need for food declarations. We’re working on one that not only certifies the ingredients, but shows consumers the impact they make with the purchase of each product.
Meet the Food-Delivery Service That’s Actually Helping Restaurants ‘Fare’ During the Pandemic
Fare, a new food-delivery app, is building a more equitable model — one that fosters enhanced community cohesion and shared benefits, and doesn’t include restaurant-crippling fees.
